- Primary Objective: Navigate the underground Old West town in call of duty black ops ii zombies buried to build powerful equipment and survive high rounds.
- Key Mechanic: Utilize Arthur (the Giant) by feeding him candy or booze to break barriers, build items, or lock the Mystery Box.
- Best Weapon: The Paralyzer wonder weapon offers infinite ammunition and unique movement capabilities like flying over obstacles.
- Critical Tip: Avoid the Haunted Mansion ghosts to prevent point drainage; use the Subsurface Resonator for high-round defense.
- 2026 Update: The PS5 and PS4 versions, released July 9, 2026, feature the full original experience with improved stability on modern hardware.
Buried Map Overview and Setting
Call of duty black ops ii zombies buried is the third major DLC map for the Zombies mode, included in the Vengeance map pack. The setting is a subterranean Old West mining town located in Africa, featuring iconic locations like a Saloon, a Courthouse, a General Store, and a sprawling Haunted Mansion. Unlike the verticality of Die Rise, Buried focuses on tight corridors, underground tunnels, and a complex hedge maze leading to the Pack-a-Punch machine.
The map introduced several revolutionary mechanics to the series, including the ability to manipulate a friendly NPC and a permanent bank system that allows players to store and retrieve points across different matches. Whether you are playing the original PC version or the 2026 PlayStation port, understanding the layout of the town is essential for survival.
| Location | Key Features | Strategic Value |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Revive Area | Initial spawn, basic weapons | Safe for early rounds only |
| General Store | All buildable parts are stored here | Essential for crafting equipment |
| Saloon | Booze spawn, Arthur's secondary food | Central hub for town navigation |
| Haunted Mansion | Ghost encounters, point drain | Mandatory path to Pack-a-Punch |
| Hedge Maze | Changing paths, fountain portal | Final barrier before weapon upgrades |
Use the fountain located in front of the Mansion and the one in the Maze to create a teleportation link, allowing you to bypass the ghosts when returning from the Pack-a-Punch area.
Arthur the Giant: Mechanics and Interactions
Arthur, often referred to as "Leroy" or the Giant, is the most important utility in call of duty black ops ii zombies buried. Players must first find the key near his cell to release him. By giving him Booze or Candy, Arthur performs specific actions that are required for map progression and high-round strategies.
Video Highlights:
- How to find the jail key and release Arthur.
- Using Booze to break debris and open the map.
- Using Candy to automate buildables and lock the Mystery Box.
Booze Effects
- Break Debris: Arthur charges forward to destroy barriers.
- Wall Damage: Can be used to kill a small group of zombies.
- Spawn Rate: Spawns in the Saloon or Arthur's cell.
Candy Effects
- Build Items: Arthur will fetch parts and complete a buildable.
- Mystery Box: Locks the box in its current location.
- Combat Mode: Arthur becomes aggressive toward zombies for a duration.
If you shoot Arthur, he will retreat into his cell and lock the door. You will need to find the key again to release him, wasting valuable time during high rounds.
| Arthur Action | Item Required | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Break Barricades | Booze | Opens new areas and shortcuts |
| Build Bench Items | Candy | Completes equipment without finding parts |
| Lock Mystery Box | Candy | Prevents the box from moving to a new spot |
| Hold a Zombie | Candy | Keeps the last zombie alive for setup time |
| Change Power-ups | Candy | Arthur hits a power-up to cycle it to another |
Wonder Weapons and Best Loadouts
In call of duty black ops ii zombies buried, the arsenal is divided between classic wall weapons and high-tech wonder weapons. The Paralyzer is the standout choice, as it does not use traditional ammunition and provides the player with vertical mobility.
Obtain the Paralyzer
Acquire this from the Mystery Box. It slows down zombies and eventually disintegrates them. Use it to fly by aiming at the ground and jumping.
Equip the Ray Gun Mark II
Available if you own the Vengeance DLC. This burst-fire weapon is highly effective against the Panzer-like toughness of high-round zombies.
Build the Subsurface Resonator
Combine the parts found in the General Store. When powered by a Turbine, it emits sonic blasts that clear entire hallways.
Utilize the Time Bomb
This tactical equipment allows you to "save" a game state. If the team goes down, you can detonate it to revert back to the moment you placed it.
The combination of the Paralyzer and the Subsurface Resonator is the meta for reaching round 100+. Place the Resonator in the hallway behind the Saloon for a nearly impenetrable defense.
| Weapon Type | Name | Best Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Wonder Weapon | Paralyzer | Infinite ammo, crowd control, and flight |
| Wonder Weapon | Ray Gun Mark II | Precise burst damage for bosses |
| Wall Weapon | AN-94 | Best point-earning rifle in the town area |
| Buildable | Head Chopper | Passive defense for window spawns |
| Tactical | Time Bomb | Emergency reset for failed Easter Egg steps |
Survival Essentials and Buildables
Survival in call of duty black ops ii zombies buried relies heavily on the four buildable items located in the General Store. Unlike previous maps, all parts for a specific item are located in the same general area, making the setup phase much faster.
Must-Have Equipment:
- Turbine: The power source for the Resonator and Head Chopper
- Subsurface Resonator: The primary sonic defense tool
- Head Chopper: A reusable blade trap for narrow doorways
- Trample Steam: Used for crossing gaps and flinging zombies
- Zombie Shield: Essential back protection against ghosts
Don't forget to use the Bank in the Courthouse. You can store up to 250,000 points, which carry over to future matches, allowing for a fully upgraded setup on Round 1.
The Mined Games Easter Egg Steps
The main quest in Buried, titled "Mined Games," continues the conflict between Dr. Richtofen and Maxis. It requires a four-player team and involves complex coordination within the town and the maze.
| Step | Requirement | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Power Up | Turbine / Power Switch | Activate the map's main power and build the gallows |
| 2. The Orbs | Paralyzer / Ray Gun | Charge the four hidden orbs located around the town |
| 3. The Lantern | Grenades / Melee | Capture the floating lantern and charge it with souls |
| 4. The Maze | Coordination | Navigate the hedge maze and flick switches in order |
| 5. The Sharpshooter | Accuracy | Simultaneously shoot all targets during the western standoff |
The final "Sharpshooter" step is notoriously difficult. If a single player misses a target, the step resets. Use the Time Bomb to reset to the start of the step if you fail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I get to the Pack-a-Punch in Buried?
You must travel through the Haunted Mansion, survive the ghosts, exit into the Hedge Maze, and find the hole in the ground beneath the gazebo.
Q: Does the Paralyzer have infinite ammo?
Yes, the Paralyzer uses a cooling mechanic instead of ammo. If it overheats, you must wait a few seconds before firing again.
Q: Can I play call of duty black ops ii zombies buried on PS5?
Yes, as of July 9, 2026, the game is available on PS5 and PS4 as a digital release with full DLC support including Buried.
Q: What is the best way to deal with the ghosts in the mansion?
Use high-damage weapons like the Ray Gun Mark II or the Remington SMG. Avoid letting them touch you, or they will steal 2,000 points per hit.